Hustle & Flow

Anthony Anderson, D.J. Qualls, Elise Neal

DJay, a streetwise Memphis hustler tries to find a voice and realize his long-buried dreams. Though DJay has always had a way with words, that gift has long been misused; this philosopher-hustler live...( read more  read more... )s a dead-end life at the fringes of society. Anything more feels out of reach. Still, DJay wonders what happened to all the big dreams he had for his life. A chance encounter with an old friend, Key, a sound engineer who has always wanted to make it in the music business, spurs DJay: if he's ever going to make his mark, it has to happen now. He begins to write down his freestyle raps -- his flow -- and the two team up with Shelby, a church musician with a beat machine, to lay down bass-thumping crunk tracks. DJay's metamorphosis affects his entire house, as the women in his life -- Shug and Nola -- find ways to contribute to the creative process. With the impending visit to Memphis of hometown platinum-selling rapper Skinny Black, DJay has to make one last hustle if he's ever going to flow.

Flixster Users

81% liked it

Critics

82% liked it

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Craig Brewer

Released: July 22, 2005

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DVD Released: January 10, 2006

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Top Flixster Reviews


  • June 17, 2008
    Well rounded and complex characters that feel like the real deal. Terrence Howard is brilliant and the music is memmorable.
  • April 7, 2008
    I loved this movie, i was so stubborn 2 keep from watchin it but im glad i did, i thought it was a great story, with fascinating characters, fantastically made. Its just a good movie man. i loved it
  • February 17, 2008
    worth it just to watch the scene where they create the beat 1 instrument at a time.
  • January 27, 2008
    Personal belief: Rap (or Hip-Hop, whatever) for me is like... garbage. I don't consider it music. As far as I'm concerned it's anti-music. Which is why it was difficult for me to enjoy this film. However, I know a good film when I see it and Hustle & Flow is one. Unfolds i... ...( read more )
  • July 28, 2007
    I wasn't sure what I'd think of tis film, but I wanted to see it because of how highly it's been praised. I don't consider myself into the rap culture much, although I do listen to some, but Hustle & Flow creates its own fully vibrant world that really wraps you up in it. It take... ...( read more )
  • April 14, 2009
    Yeah, that's that jam because you know it's hard out here for a pimp! I liked the way this joint showed yet another side of trying to make it in the music trade! Now whip that trick! Oh yeah my first time seeing Taraji P. Henson on the big screen! Much props to the hometown nativ... ...( read more )

Critic Reviews


View more Hustle & F... reviews at RottenTomatoes.com
July 22, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Hustle & Flow suspends you in its spell of mood, of feeling, of climate. It's a pop picture that finds its richness in peeling down to the essentials of good storytelling. full review

July 22, 2005
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Every now and then, Brewer pulls off a near-miracle with his flinty characters: He lets us, for a moment, slip into their lives -- and sing their song. full review

July 22, 2005
David Edelstein, NPR's Fresh Air

What's missing in this self-proclaimed story of redemption, though, is something other than a fairy-tale finale. It's the sense that the filmmaker understands the consequences of exploiting women even... full review

July 21, 2005
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Howard takes a character that might have been a caricature and makes him real -- sometimes icy, sometimes fiery, sometimes slick, sometimes passionate. full review

July 21, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Terrence Howard modulates Djay with great love and consideration for the character. He never cheapens him, or condescends. He builds him inside-out. full review

July 21, 2005
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Craig Brewer's first feature film is a volatile mixture of slickness and sincerity, hard-edged naturalism and sheer show-business hokum. full review

July 21, 2005
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

The film's supporting characters are as rich as the lead, each one of them chasing an unlikely dream. full review

July 14, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

... explosive entertainment. full review

July 11, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Subtly glosses over the most despicable elements of [its] protagonist's behavior. full review

Comments


  • pavacri23
    April 22, 2008
    not bad this movie shows the things that you have to do to ge tyour dreams.
  • haxc100
    December 12, 2007
    if terrence howard we r e a rapper he'd have to be one of those bourgeoi ones like kanye i can see them now with don cheedle
  • Montel5teddy
    May 24, 2007
    he should be a rapper
  • robert2beith
    May 1, 2007
    the film is brillant and i like the music in it
  • lilmommas131
    March 24, 2007
    i love this movie its for true thugs n n*e*body but like poeple say its hard out here for a pimp...LOL il ove this movie i can watch it over and over and never get tired of it i love the DRAMA ~n~ MUSIC
  • gunitlady
    January 24, 2007
    Dalm it is hard out here for a PIMP..lol.. I like this movie, it's a pretty good film. I luv the music in it!
  • MECreviews
    September 28, 2006
    I loved the music in this movie. Great film.
  • crapman106
    May 30, 2006
    Terrence Howard owns all. Watch this movie!!!

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